Protector of the Grove: An Apocalypse LitRPG

Path of Dragons, Book 1

By: Nicholas Searcy

Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin

When Earth is transformed into a realm of myths and monsters, one man finds both purpose and power in the fight for survival, in this fantasy adventure.

Elijah Hart is dying. Wracked by cancer and weakened by chemotherapy, all he wants is to spend what little time he has left with his sister and her family in Washington. But fate has other plans. When the mysterious World Tree extends its branches to Earth, Elijah's Seattle-bound flight crashes into the Pacific Ocean and a game-like system takes hold—reshaping humanity's future as well as his own destiny.

Waking up on an island in the Pacific Northwest, Elijah finds himself suddenly gifted with magical powers and an innate connection to the natural world. As a Druid, he has the ability to wield Ethera and harness the power of nature . . . if he survives long enough to master it. The influx of magic has rendered most technology useless, throwing humankind back into a preindustrial age. But the world hasn't just changed; it has expanded, in both scope and danger.

Now Elijah must level up quickly, learn how to control his powers, and adapt to his new abilities to take on the forms of powerful beasts. Because Earth is under siege: Reptilian Voxx emerge from dimensional rifts, wreaking chaos and destruction. Desperate humans battle for resources, seeking to harness Ethera for their own survival. Even worse, dragons and other ancient beings with the strength to destroy the planet on a whim are beginning to stir.

With each trial he faces, Elijah becomes healthier, stronger, and more powerful. But will it be enough to save himself—let alone the world?

The first volume of the hit LitRPG apocalypse series—with more than 15 million views on Royal Road—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook.

©2025 Nicholas Searcy (P)2025 Podium Audio

don't like the double narrative

I didn't really like the back and forth between the MC and his sister. Wish it would just be the MC's pov.

excellent start

I started this on Royal Road and got the audiobook right when it came out. Definitely solid, and I really look forward to the next installment.
Progression is good, and I actually really enjoy the abilities and magic that develop. The system is really well done. Not too crunchy.
Characters are real, though there aren't all that many important people.

Amazing, one of the most realistic takes on a post-apocalypse with magic

This is one of the best paced Litrpgs I’ve read/listened too in a while. The MC is not some over powered monster the whole time. He also isn’t an obvious sociopath waiting for the day he can murder his neighbors.

I also thought it was interesting how the author made him weird after being in the woods with no social interaction. But in an obvious just forgot how to interact with others. Definitely a positive and better thought out response to being alone in the woods.

As for his sisters part, I know that seems to be a sticking point for a lot of people. But I honestly think her addiction into the book is a good choice and made the series way more exciting. It can be a little dull in the start but it definitely picks up in the later half.

Fantastic adventure

This story has me hooked from the very beginning with the story plot and everything else in between I will eagerly be downloading the next one when it’s available

Great book

Finally a good book that doesn’t turn into political grandstanding or a some kind of weird harem situation

cliffhanger

cmon man!!! that ending . story was s tier until the last two chapters. I'll give you a chance on the next book. It was a close thing however.

MC is boring

The MC and his story is just boring murder hobo stuff until the last 20% but the side story is like 5/5 but the books ending is disappointing.

this is a great story.

so I've read the first 9 books on Royal road, and I won't spoil it for you but this is a great story line. a lot of these litRPGs are all the same, this one is quite a bit different and always enjoyable. the narration is awesome as well.

I feel kind of lied to?

The summary is very clear that this story is about a guy with terminal cancer becoming a druid and trying to survive. HOWEVER I am halfway through the story and 50% of it is about their sister. At no point does the summary mention the book was about her at all. I will tell you now that I couldn't care less about that part. I do NOT care about the sister or her family\ and started skipping ahead.

I just want to see the brother develop and try to survive and become a druid. I prefer stories that have a single MC for this reason. Had I known it was going to jump around like this then I wouldn't have picked it up. Everything else is great.

Too many pov shifts

Biggest issue is all the pov shifts to the sister makes me like her less and less because I just want to get back to the brother.